Mark Twain said, “Life is short. Break the rules.”
Here is the complete quote. “Life is short, break the rules, forgive quickly, kiss slowly, love truly, laugh uncontrollably, and never regret anything that made you smile. Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
Life is short … In my case, I estimate I only have 25 to 35 more productive years.
I don’t expect to ever retire. Instead, I plan to continue reinventing myself every few years. Each of my new life chapters will be an evolution of my previous self. Some of my future life chapters will be focused on making money, and some of them will be designed to simply better myself, better my family, or better one of my communities.
By nature, I’m a very curious person. I find new ideas in almost everything that I do.
Routines bore me. New projects excite me.
Rules are not something I’ve historically responded to in a positive manner. My deceased mother took the brunt of my independent disposition during my childhood. My aversion to rules challenged her patience many, many times.
As a mature man, I understand rules as they pertain to a civilized society. I follow those rules whenever necessary and/or appropriate.
I understand the difference between breaking a societal rule and compromising my integrity. I walk the line that separates my own values from manmade maxims.
In my relationships, I understand the need for consistency. Being consistent in my thinking, my behaviors, and my interactions with others is my integrity.
But silly rules of my own making (or made by others) seem burdensome and pointless.
Life is short. So I plan to keep breaking the rules.
Do you always follow the rules?
Do you know how to break the rules?
Are you living a gump-like life?
Next Blog Title: Forgive Quickly, Kiss Slowly, Love Truly
Next Blog Date: August 16, 2012